O’Donnell Brain Institute Scholars Program

The Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute (OBI) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center invites applications to the OBI Scholars Program for exceptional early career scientists of any discipline whose research includes mechanistic studies relevant to human nervous system disease. The program is open to PhD, MD, or MD/PhD applicants seeking their first tenure-track assistant professor position or currently serving as Assistant Professors or recently promoted Associate Professors.

OBI Scholars will receive a generous ~$3M recruitment package and laboratory space in the recently opened, state-of-the-art O’Donnell Biomedical Research Building, which houses a diverse set of investigators, including basic and human neuroscientists, immunologists, biochemists, and structural biologists. The program supports individuals pursuing either laboratory-based or human subject research.

All primary faculty recruited by OBI enter through this single OBI Scholars process. Within OBI, recruitment is guided by several scientific priorities, and a major one is the Program for Memory Longevity (PML), a signature program of OBI in hippocampal circuit biology and memory, led by Attila Losonczy, MD, PhD. PML sits within OBI, and candidates with an interest in PML apply through this same process.

Areas of Recruitment

Exceptional applicants from any discipline will be considered. We are particularly focused on three key areas: (1) circuit biology relevant to movement, memory/cognition, and pain; (2) molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and regeneration, including neuroimmune and endolysosomal mechanisms; and (3) theoretical and computational neuroscience, including models, algorithms, or theory that probe mechanisms of neural circuit function across levels of biological organization. Within these priorities, research may explore fundamental aspects of neuron or CNS function or broadly relevant disease mechanisms, without requiring direct use of disease models. 

Resources and Environment

OBI Scholars will also have access to:

•     Advanced imaging and data analysis resources, including two-photon and light-sheet microscopy, STED, spatial transcriptomics (Xenium and Merscope), cryo-EM, and high-performance computing

•     Human neuroscience infrastructure, including academic neurosurgeons providing access to human brain recordings and tissue, magnetoencephalography (MEG), high-density EEG, and focused ultrasound for blood-brain barrier modulation and lesioning

•     Extensive cross-campus collaboration, spanning more than a dozen departments and centers, including Neuroscience, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases

•     OBI programs supporting high-risk/high-reward neuroscience (Visionary Neuroscience Program), trainee development (Sprouts Program, Neural Scientist Training Program, Travel Grant Program), multidisciplinary Research Interest Groups, and clinical research career development (Clinical Neuroscience Research Excellence Initiative)

OBI Scholars receive a primary appointment within OBI and a secondary appointment in the basic science or clinical department most aligned with their work. Candidates whose career includes clinical care must have or be eligible for a Texas Medical License.

UT Southwestern ranks among the top academic medical centers in the world, with 4 Nobel Laureates, 3 Lasker awardees, 28 National Academy of Sciences members, and 26 National Academy of Medicine members on faculty.

Qualification:

Candidates must hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in neuroscience, immunology, engineering, computer science, biology, physics, or a related discipline, and be seeking a first tenure-track assistant professor position or currently serving as Assistant Professor or recently promoted Associate Professor. A record of research excellence at each level of training and a compelling vision for future work are essential.

Application Instructions:

All candidates, please submit:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter describing your research area and future goals 
• Two-page summary of research accomplishments and future direction (independent investigators should highlight lab discoveries and secured funding)
• Three letters of recommendation

UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community.  As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.

Appointment rank will be commensurate with academic accomplishment and experience. Consideration may be given to applicants seeking less than a full-time schedule.

To learn more about the benefits UT Southwestern offers, visit https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/employees/hr-resources/